What is the best indicator of fluid balance in a pediatric patient?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Heart rate
- C. Weight
- D. Urine output
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Weight is the most accurate indicator of fluid balance in pediatric patients. Changes in weight reflect shifts in body fluid levels more directly compared to other parameters. Blood pressure and heart rate may be affected by various factors other than fluid balance. While urine output is important in assessing renal function, it may not provide a comprehensive picture of overall fluid balance in pediatric patients.
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What clinical manifestation should be the most suggestive of acute appendicitis?
- A. Rebound tenderness
- B. Bright red or dark red rectal bleeding
- C. Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating
- D. Colicky, cramping abdominal pain around the umbilicus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Colicky, cramping abdominal pain around the umbilicus. This type of pain is a common early sign of acute appendicitis. Rebound tenderness, choice A, is a later sign seen in the physical examination of a patient with appendicitis. Rectal bleeding, as described in choice B, is not typically associated with appendicitis. Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating, as mentioned in choice C, is more indicative of peptic ulcer disease rather than appendicitis.
What is the therapeutic intervention that provides the best chance of survival for a child with cirrhosis?
- A. Nutritional support
- B. Liver transplantation
- C. Blood component therapy
- D. Treatment with corticosteroids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Liver transplantation offers the best chance of survival for children with cirrhosis, especially in advanced stages where the liver can no longer function effectively. Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. While nutritional support, blood component therapy, and corticosteroids may be part of the treatment plan to manage symptoms and complications, they do not address the underlying cause of cirrhosis or provide a cure like liver transplantation does.
Which congenital heart defect causes a "boot-shaped" heart on a chest x-ray?
- A. Tetralogy of Fallot
- B. Coarctation of the aorta
- C. Transposition of the great arteries
- D. Ventricular septal defect
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tetralogy of Fallot. Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect with four distinct abnormalities, often presents with a "boot-shaped" heart on chest x-ray due to right ventricular hypertrophy. This characteristic finding is due to the specific combination of defects in this condition. Coarctation of the aorta (choice B), Transposition of the great arteries (choice C), and Ventricular septal defect (choice D) do not typically result in a "boot-shaped" heart on a chest x-ray like Tetralogy of Fallot does.
What intervention is contraindicated in a suspected case of appendicitis?
- A. Enemas
- B. Palpating the abdomen
- C. Administration of antibiotics
- D. Administration of antipyretics for fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Enemas are contraindicated in cases of suspected appendicitis because they can increase the risk of perforation. The pressure from the enema can exacerbate inflammation and potentially lead to the rupture of the appendix. Palpating the abdomen gently is essential for diagnosing appendicitis, as it helps identify the characteristic signs like rebound tenderness. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat the infection associated with appendicitis, and antipyretics are administered to manage fever, which is a common symptom of the condition. Therefore, enemas are the intervention to avoid in suspected appendicitis cases.
Which reflex is expected to disappear by 4 months of age?
- A. Rooting reflex
- B. Moro reflex
- C. Babinski reflex
- D. Palmar grasp
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, typically disappears by 4 months as the infant's nervous system matures. This reflex is important for assessing the development of the nervous system in newborns. The Rooting reflex (Choice A) is related to turning the head in response to cheek stimulation; the Babinski reflex (Choice C) involves the fanning of toes in response to foot stimulation; and the Palmar grasp (Choice D) is the curling of the fingers around an object placed in the infant's hand. These reflexes have different timelines for disappearance and are not typically expected to be gone by 4 months of age.